Ways to Prevent Cancer?

What about Lemons?

Recently there have been emails stating that lemons are a cure for cancer and some claim that lemons are 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. There is simply no scientific evidence to back up these claims. However, lemons may play a role in helping to prevent cancer as they contain several antioxidants that support the immune system.

A serving of fresh lemon juice, which would be 50 g (or slightly less than ¼ cup), contains vitamins A, E and C. This quantity of lemon juice contains over 33 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C.

Additionally, lemons help protect the body cells from free radicals, which cause significant cell damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules that interact with oxygen, which in turn reacts with the cell membrane in the DNA within cells. The National Cancer Institute states damaged cells are the first step leading to the development of cancer.

Lemons

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Smoking

Mark Twain said, “Quitting smoking is easy. I’ve done it 1000 times.”

Cigarette

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Make a Choice to Prevent Cancer

In the U.S. 30 percent of deaths from cancer are due to tobacco usage. There is simply nothing more important for your health then quitting smoking, or better yet, not choosing to begin.

So, why is it so difficult to quit smoking? Nicotine is probably the first answer most people would give, but when a person smokes over an extended period of time they become physically dependent and emotionally addicted to the nicotine. Due to this physical dependence the withdrawal symptoms are not pleasant. In addition, the emotional and mental dependence of this addiction make it hard to stay away from nicotine after you have quit.

Anti-inflammatory Diet

There is a diet and exercise plan that covers all the bases—food we should eat and food that tastes good; what is best for our bodies and what is easily doable in the real world—all while offering hunger-free weight loss.

Choose Health

Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle is obviously going to be a better choice, not only for longevity but how you feel every day.

Suggestions for a healthier life:

Eating a diet that contains a lot of fruit and vegetables

Cutting out junk food

Limiting red meat consumption

Incorporating fish into your diet twice a week

Take vitamin D pills

Sunshine gives you vitamin D, as do milk products, but many doctors are now recommending taking a daily supplement as people have been tested across the country and they do not have an adequate amount of vitamin D.

Other Important Factors to Prevent Cancer

In addition to a healthy diet, maintaining your weight in a normal range is important, as is being physically active. Physical inactivity is so common, due to jobs that keep you sitting at a desk all day, and many people just do not start a regular exercise program. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 25 to 30 percent of several major cancers are due to physical inactivity, poor diet and obesity.

Protection from the sun is extremely important also. In 2012 there is an estimated 76,250 new cases of melanoma. Use sunscreen not just at the beach or lake, but use it every day on your face and arms. Wearing a hat is also a good idea.

Women need to get their mammograms, do their monthly breast exams and get a PAP smear every other year.

Limit your alcohol intake.

Get an adequate amount of sleep, at least seven hours nightly.

Smoker with Baby

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Unhealthy Environmental Factors

Secondhand smoke is the leading environmental hazard. Secondhandsmokeis actually a mixture of the side-stream smoke (SHS) of a smoldering cigarette along with the mainstream smoke exhaled by the smoker.

SHS contains thousands of chemicals, which include formaldehyde, cyanide, carbon monoxide, ammonia and nicotine, to name just a few. There are at least 250 chemicals in SHS that are known to be toxic and/or cancer-causing agents. There is conclusive evidence that SHS causes premature death and disease in children and adults who do not smoke but are exposed. Children are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome, middle ear disease, respiratory infections, or severe asthma and slowed loan growth.

Some states have laws that prohibit smoking in a car with children, and other states have laws that prohibit foster parents smoking in their homes with children.

Chemical exposures to pesticides have been linked to certain types of cancers when the patient has had a high exposure. One example would be a farmer who uses pesticide applications and does crop dusting.

The dioxin levels have been declining in the United States over the past 30 years due to regulations, but they are still found in the burning of municipal toxic waste, specific industrial processes, which includes metal smelting and refining, and in paper and pulp bleaching. Some insecticides and herbicides also contain dioxins. However, the most common exposure to dioxins is through the diet particularly from animal fats, including meats, full fat dairy products and fatty fish.

Top 3 Ways to Prevent Cancer

Summary

I believe we all want to live a long life and certainly no one wants to get cancer or see a loved one suffer through this disease. There are genetic factors as we know breast cancer and colon cancer can be found in several generations. Making the healthy choices is your best defense against cancer, and the good news is these choices are going to make you feel better each and every day.

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Author

Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

poetryman, I am always amazed when I look at ingredients while shopping at the number of items that have corn syrup. I only drink water and my morning coffee now. Thanks so much for your addition to the information.

poetryman6969 3 years ago

I think you are right. Lemons are good but they are not the end all and be all. Since there is no minimum daily requirement for refined sugar, giving up all forms of soda, even diet soda is the way to go. That and avoid corn fructose.

lyns 3 years agofrom USA

Yes, I just need a reminder to take them the same time daily, but yes I am. Thanks again. lyns 7/1/2014

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Lyns, I am so glad you enjoy my writing and appreciate your comments immensely. Glad to hear you are taking Vitamin C and D3.

lyns 3 years agofrom USA

Pamela, this is a one stop shop I simply love your writings and this hub, the flow of you work is amazingly great, I am stuck at you shop I have given it a name "The one stop readers shop", lol, i truly learn so much from this about lemon, vitamins cancer etc., I started taking Vitamin C and D3 because a family member recommended I should get this in my diet. After reading this hub I found out why thank you thank you, thank you. Love the way you write. Voted up and +/ Keep up the great work and blessing the community with your great writing skills. As usual wishing you a great day lyns 7/1/2014

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Joe, I'm glad you enjoyed the hub and I appreciate your comments.

Joe 3 years agofrom north miami FL

I need to start eating lemons, great hub.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Shelley, I was also glad to learn this information and as a person who loves lemon, I squeeze lemons into my drinking water everyday. I will look for your hub when it is posted. Thanks for your comments.

Shelley Watson 3 years ago

I am presently finishing off a hub on lemons, so was glad to read this. I hadn't heard anything about lemons in place of chemotherapy - although it would not be something I would endorse either. Thank you for teaching me something here - always great!

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Lady E,

I fully agree. I hope you had a lovely Easter also. Thank you for your comments.

Elena 3 years agofrom London, UK

Interesting read. Lemons are of great benefit to health and even for beauty. Thanks. Happy Easter.

Author

Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Peggy, I like lemon juice for salads also. Thank you so much for your coments.

Peggy Woods 3 years agofrom Houston, Texas

Excellent article about being prudent with our life choices. You have given some good reasons as to why to incorporate more real lemon juice into our diets. Squeezing a little into a tall glass of cold water is good and it is refreshing when used as a salad dressing with a little olive oil on a salad among other ways.

Author

Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Diana, I drink water with lemon for the same reasons as you. Thank you so much for your comments.

Dianna Mendez 3 years ago

I have a slice of lemon in my water each morning. I like the flavor for one, but find it to aid in digestion and purify the blood. I agree that there's no evidence it helps prevent cancer, but it does help to keep the body fit -- tand hat does help to fight cancer. Great post and one I hope others take to heart on how to live well.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

RTalloni, I know what you are saying. It is not hard to eat right and exercise. Everyone knows what smoking does, yet many people just don't make those good decisions for their health. Thanks for your comments.

RTalloni 3 years agofrom the short journey

Lemons really are healthy for us. We need to nurture not damage our cells! In reading through your good reminders I thought of how simple it really is to take care of our health if we will do it. It is always interesting to see people, even employees, standing outside doctor offices and hospitals puffing away on their nicotine of choice.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

DDE, It sounds like you are very conscious as to what you eat already, so that is good for your health. Thanks so much for your comments.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Audry, I have drank water before my coffee for the past couple of years, but now I am adding the lemon, and I love the flavor, so it is a win-win. It breaks by heart when children smoke around babies and small children also. I really appreciate your kind comments and the sharing. Blessings to you also.

Devika Primić 3 years agofrom Dubrovnik, Croatia

I ate freely but with moderation every food in moderation is a good idea for me and works perfectly. Lemons is a must in my kitchen and your suggestions are helpful.

Faith Reaper 3 years agofrom southern USA

Wow, Pamela, this is a most insightful and well-written hub! Thank you for sharing all of this important information as to taking those steps for better overall health. I have heard that drinking a glass in the morning of warm water with lemon is helpful.

Oh, it breaks my heart knowing that parents of young children smoke, and they are there breathing in that second-hand smoke. I truly hope they realize how dangerous that is for their children.

Up and more, tweeting and pinning

Blessings,

Faith Reaper

Author

Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Eddy, I am glad you found the hub interesting and I very much appreciate your comments.

Eiddwen 3 years agofrom Wales

So very interesting Pamela and thanks for sharing.

Eddy.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Jodah, I agree with you. I like the flavor of lemons and I know it is a good source of vitamin C, so what is there to lose? I appreciate your comments.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

yourhealthmatters, I am glad you enjoyed the hub and I appreciate your comments.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

POP, I have felt the same way about some of the changes they come up with also. Thanks for your comments.

John Hansen 3 years agofrom Queensland Australia

Helpful hub Pamela, I try to have a glass of water with lemon juice added each morning. No one thing prevents cancer and other diseases but it all helps. Good info here, voted up.

yourhealthmatters 3 years ago

Great article, voted useful and thumbs up! I could not agree more about making healthy lifestyle choices.

breakfastpop 3 years ago

All I can say is I'm doing the best I can. It seems that every day medical science is changing its opinion about what is good or bad. Frankly, I am tired of all the different ever-changing opinions. Voted up and useful.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Alicia, I tried to make the best suggestions for avoiding camcer and really any health problems. I appreciate your comments.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Shauna, We all do the best we can, and genetics are also a big factor. A healthy diet is a big factor in maintaining good health, so you have that going for you. Thanks so much for your comments.

Linda Crampton 3 years agofrom British Columbia, Canada

This hub is filled with useful and important suggestions, Pamela. The title is interesting, too!

Shauna L Bowling 3 years agofrom Central Florida

Pamela, I must admit I'm a smoker. Most of my mom's brothers and sisters smoke(d) and the ones who are gone (my mom is the next to youngest of 10 and she's almost 76) lived well into their 90's. We don't have cancer in our family. One aunt died of dementia, but everyone else went naturally.

I do use quite a bit of lemon in my diet and try to eat healthily. However, my exercise level could use some work!

Author

Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Alastar, You make a very good point about smoking and cancer. My grandmother lived to her mid 8Os, always smoked and died of natural causes. Obviously it would be better not to smoke, but it is the toughest thing to overcome. Thanks for your comments.

Liz, I had a blood test that showed very low vitamin D, so that was a no brainer for me. I like some lemon juice in my water also. I appreciate your comments.

Elizabeth Parker 3 years agofrom Las Vegas, NV

Informative hub. I've always heard that drinking lemon water is a good alternative for those who love soda and don't want to switch to regular water. So true about Vitamin D too. I've added that to my vitamins if I don't get outside enough. Thanks for posting!

Alastar Packer 3 years agofrom North Carolina

Good info Hub on the Lemons, Pamela. Surprised to read they have vitamin E. The thing about cigs is some can smoke them all their life with little or no probs and others contract cancer in their 30s. A lot of peeps around here are turning to those smokeless e-machine thing-ma-jigs. Nicotine addiction must be the toughest one to beat in the world for some folks, especially if they have that "tobacco gene."

Author

Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Nell Rose, I think most of us are a work in progress if we are trying to make healthier choices. Most of us were raised with a diet that is not as healthy as what we are now told to eat. Thanks so much for your comments.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Linda, There are many ways to use a little lemon juice in cooking and salads work for me also. I appreciate your comments.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Billy, Thanks so much for your kind comments.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Maria, I am glad you stopped by to read my hub. I know as a nurse you already know those things I wrote about, but I appreciate you comments very much. Hugs for you Maria.

Nell Rose 3 years agofrom England

I love lemons, I tend to eat a lot of them on holiday because they are great to stop germs in the food. I think an overall health regime with lots of good food and exercise can really help, I give up smoking so many times, now I have three a day, must cut those out, nell

Linda Bilyeu 3 years agofrom Orlando, FL

It sure wouldn't hurt to use lemons. I use lemon juice as a salad dressing and I eat a lot of salads! :) Very useful information...Thanks Pam!

Bill Holland 3 years agofrom Olympia, WA

I had to read this just because of the title. Very interesting information here, Pamela. Excellent presentation of the facts as always.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Audrey, It is frustrating when injuries interfere with our life. That happened to be last fall and no exercise often means weight gain. I'm sure you will get active when you heal. I hope your surgery goes very well and you heal quickly. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. At least you are already using lemons!

Maria Jordan 3 years agofrom Jeffersonville PA

Dear Pam,

I was pulled into this article because of your compelling title...!

Yet I knew as a responsible nurse and writer, you would write an article filled with valuable information and modifiable strategies we can all do to some degree to be healthier/ prevent cancer.

Voted UP and UABI. Excellent job. Hugs, Maria

Author

Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Sean, Genetics certainly plays a big role in our health. I would assume that was a factor for your friend. I guess all we can do is try to develop healthy habits and hope for the best. Thanks for your comments.

Author

Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Ruby, I think most smokers would pick that one as I know my husband and sister struggled when they quit. I love lemon pie and have not had one in a long time. I think some meat is okay, just not a lot of fried meats. Thanks for your comments.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Jackie, I actutally like lemon in water and tea, so it isn't hard. We have to be better off eating healthy and really lemon or lime would have those vitamins. I appreciate your comments.

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Pamela Oglesby 3 years agofrom United States

Vickiw, That is funny - not using sugar. I have always liked that saying. I am tired of getting emails that are simply not true, or they are trying to sell you something that doesn't work, hence this hub. I know they are making strides on some types of cancers, but not all. I wish we knew more also. Thanks so much for your comments.

Audrey Hunt 3 years agofrom Idyllwild Ca.

I've been wondering about lemons, myself. I use at least 1 fresh lemon everyday, sometimes more. Enjoyed the video by doctor Jeff Barke. I'm a little frustrated at the present time, as I'm waiting for knee surgery on the left leg and have a pulled muscle on the right one :) I miss my walking and exercise and have gained 4 pounds. I'm not complaining as I'm so much better off than most people my age. Thanks Pamela for this fantastic hub. Votes up and more and will pin and share. Good health to us both! Audrey

Sean Pollard 3 years agofrom CA 95203

Your article reminds me of my friend who got cancer inspite of the fact that he do Yoga, Exercise and eat lot of raw /veggies in diet. Also he don't smoke nor drink. Life is very unpredictable.

Ruby Jean Fuller 3 years agofrom Southern Illinois

I must say that giving up smoking was the most difficult for me. Learning about the healthy benefits concerning lemons is good news. I rarely use lemons. I remember my mother made lemon pies and they were delicious. Now, if i can kick the habit of eating meat. Thank's for a great article that is helpful......

Jackie Lynnley 3 years agofrom The Beautiful South

I have certainly added lemon to my diet big time from hearing all this. What can it hurt? A few added securities here and there...could save our lives or just make them better!

Vickiw 3 years ago

Pamela99 - it would be so nice if we had more knowledge of the causes of cancer, but it is always great to reinforce the need for living in in healthy manner. That is probably the most sensible thing anyone can do. With the knowledge we now have, I guess if life hands you lemons, make lemonade, but don't use sugar, because it is considered very detrimental to health!